Negative Effects Of Alcohol Abuse – 10 Worst Consequences

negative effects of alcohol abuse

Anything coming with an excessive use would be not good for our health in general. Much similar to several other things, drinking in moderation is okay but excessive drinking could influence your health in negative ways.

Day by day, it could lead to chronic health problems and negative influences to your life quality.

Effects Of Alcohol Abuse – The Worst Influences Of Alcohol Overuse On Human Health

According to the Dietary Guidelines for people in America, moderate alcohol intake is defined as taking up to 2 drinks for men per day and up to 1 drink a day for women.

In the United States, 1 drink is often believed to be 1.5 ounces of spirits (hard liquor, like whiskey or gin), 5 ounces of wine, and 12 ounces of beer.

Over drinking and alcohol abuse constitutes over four drinks on any day or over fourteen drinks a week for men and over three drinks on any day or over seven drinks a week for women.

Nevertheless, several people break this rule and end up consuming over they should.

According to the Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institute, about 88 thousand people (nearly 26,000 women and 62,000 men) die from causes related to alcohol abuse annually, making it the 4th leading trigger factors of death in the United States that are preventable.

In addition, in 2024, driving fatalities that are alcohol-impaired accounted for 9,967 deaths (31% of all driving fatalities).

Looking at the figures above, it is crucial to consider whether you are drinking in excessive levels and what you could do to entirely quit or cut back the amount of alcohol you consume every day.

Quick Tips On How To Overcome The Habit Of Overdrinking

  • Acupuncture, meditation and yoga could provide you with help to reach your goal of escaping from alcohol abuse.
  • Incorporate exercises, such as swimming, biking, running, brisk walking, or aerobics every day as a routine.
  • Avoid nicotine, sugar, and caffeine, which could contribute to your urge to drink.
  • Have a healthy diet and ensure that you would include more vegetables and water-rich fruits into your daily meals. In addition, consume foods rich in amino acids, vitamin C, and vitamin B12.
  • It would be good for you to avoid situations where you might be tempted to drink alcohol.
  • Do not opt for alcohol on an empty stomach. Remember to eat a healthy food before and during drinking alcohol.
  • In between drinks, opt for 1 glass of water for preventing dehydration.
  • Day by day, to keep yourself motivated, always acknowledge your efforts.
  • Expect physical side influences from withdrawals. You might experience insomnia, shakiness, dizziness, headaches, nausea, or sweating. However, these signs would go away eventually and you would feel much better after all.
  • In the first period, cut down on the current alcohol consumption as opposed to giving up it entirely. Slowly cut down your alcohol intakes and stick to clear liquors, including white wine, gin, and vodka.
  • Be realistic. Avoid expecting to stop abusing alcohol and stay sober without any support, and never expect it to be done within just a short time period.
  • Get support from friends and family, as without help, it would be less likely that you would touch goal and complete your task. Tell your friends and family that you are trying to stop abusing alcohol and let them see your reasons.
  • You could opt for going to rehab, relying on self-help programs, or getting therapies.
  • It is crucial to get more knowledge about the negative impacts of alcohol abuse. You could also read journals and ask an expert for advice.

1. Causes Infertility

effects of alcohol abuse - causes infertility

This is the very first one out on the list of the worst effects of alcohol abuse that I want to expose in this article.

Over drinking can lead to fertility-related issues in both women and men.

The toxins in alcohol could increase the length of time it may take to conceive and even reduce the risks of giving birth to a healthy infant in childbearing age females.

Actually, health care providers recommended that pregnant women and women who try to have a baby should not consume alcohol at all.

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can increase the risks of fetal alcohol syndrome, preterm birth, and low birth weight.

Along with females, alcohol abuse can even lead to infertility in males. Excess alcohol consumption can lower the testosterone levels as well as sperm quantity and quality. It could also decrease libido.

Learn More: 18 Home Remedies For Infertility

Alcohol abuse can results in raised infertility risks, so watch out!

2. Leads To Pancreatitis

effects of alcohol abuse - leads to pancreatitis

This is also one of the bad and even worst effects of alcohol abuse that people should not look down or skip! Be careful!

Prolonged alcohol abuse can result in irreversible and progressive damage to the pancreas gland.

Alcohol can lead the pancreas to produce toxins that could eventually cause swelling and in the pancreas inflammation of the blood vessels. This could even influence the digestive process and the ability to stabilize blood sugar levels of the body.

A research published in the Epidemiology American Journal in 2024 confirmed that high alcohol consumption was associated with higher risks of pancreatitis. Further, the research indicated that gallstones slightly temper the relation between pancreatitis and alcohol.

A research published in 2024 in the Journals of JAMA and Archives indicates that 5 or more drinks a day can greatly increase the risks of chronic pancreatitis. Moreover, smoking is a dose-dependent trigger factor as well.

Another research published in the Gastroenterology World Journal in 2024 sheds light on the fact that alcohol abuse can increase the risks of pancreatic disease, most likely potentiating the impacts of other triggers, including poor diet and smoking.

Learn More: 10 Early Symptoms Of Pancreatic Cancer

3. Effects Of Alcohol Abuse – Damages The Brain

effects of alcohol abuse - damages the brain

Alcohol is a potent neurotoxin and if you consume high levels of it, then your brain health would be negatively affected. High alcohol consumption could accelerate natural aging or lead to premature brain aging, according to the Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institute.

The toxic content of alcohol can interfere with the communication pathways of the brain and could even influence your brain’s functioning.

These disruptions could cause a decreased brain’s processing efficiency and speed. It could also lead to cognitive decline, poor concentration, and memory loss.

A research published in Neurology in 2024 reported that compared with moderate or light alcohol intake, alcohol abuse in men was associated with faster cognitive decline.

In addition, alcoholism can lead to 2 common deficiencies of nutrients, magnesium and thiamine (vitamin B1), which are essential for the health of our brain.

Thiamine deficiency can lead to decreased coordination, memory loss, confusion, and decreased mental alertness, while a deficiency of magnesium is associated with apprehensiveness, disorientation, confusion, depression, and irritability.

Read More: Brain Evolution System Review – Lee’s Program

4. Increase Cancer Risk

effects of alcohol abuse - increase cancer risk

The Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institute analyzed over two hundred researches and indicated that alcohol consumption is linked with higher risks of cancers.

A research published in the Clinical Nutrition European Journal in 2000 reported that high of wine consumption, the alcoholic beverage that is most commonly used, can increase the risks of esophageal cancer.

Alcohol (ethanol) is converted inside our body into acetaldehyde – a toxic chemical. This chemical can damage DNA and stop cells from repairing the damage. It can also influence the formation of free radicals and weaken the immunity.

According to a research published in the Annals of Oncology in 2024, there is also a link between alcohol abuse and the higher risks of pancreatic cancer. The risks are even higher in those drinking and smoking heavily.

For females, the risks of breast cancer could also increase with the use of alcohol. A research conducted by the Plataforma in 2024 confirmed that alcohol consumption can increase the risks of having breast cancer. This chance can quadruple with the consumption daily glass of beer or wine. This is actually one of the worst effects of alcohol abuse on human health and life, so watch out!

Discover Top 11 Cancer Causing Foods

5. Affect Heart Health

effects of alcohol abuse - affect heart health

The high calorie and sugar contents of alcoholic drinks are unhealthy for our heart because they can lead to cause strokes, heart issues, and high blood pressure.

A research published in Experimental And Clinical Pharmacology And Physiology in 2006 reported that regular consumption of alcohol can elevate the levels of blood pressure. Over the world, the contributable risks for high blood pressure due to alcohol are at 16%.

People abusing alcohol are also at high risks of low-density lipoproteins (LDL or ‘bad’ cholesterol) which form plaque and build up on the arteries’ inside.

This plaque could restrict the blood flow to all sections inside our body and raise the risks of strokes and heart attacks.

A research published in Alcoholism: Experimental And Clinical Research highlighted the impact of alcohol abuse on the risks of having increased bad cholesterol levels in men at middle ages in Japan.

Consuming moderate levels of alcohol could help in protecting the heart health of some people from the chances of coronary artery condition, according to the National Health Institutes.

However, this advantage transforms into an adverse impact on health once the drinking habit becomes higher than the moderate levels. In brief, this is also one of the important effects of alcohol abuse that you should not skip or look down!

Do Not Miss Top 10 Tips On How To Stop Heart Disease

6. Effects Of Alcohol Abuse – Causes Liver Disease

effects of alcohol abuse - causes liver disease

According to the National Center for Health Statistics, long-term alcohol abuse is the most prevalent trigger of death and ailments due to liver disease in the United State.

Alcohol abuse can take a toll on the liver and could cause several liver-related issues, like cirrhosis, fibrosis, alcoholic hepatitis, and fatty liver disease.

Excess alcohol use could even contribute to higher risks of liver cancer. Women are extremely vulnerable to the negative impacts of alcohol on liver.

The liver is especially susceptible to injuries that are related to alcohol because it is the alcohol metabolism’s major site. As out liver tries to break down alcohol, the resulting chemical reactions could damage all liver cells, resulting in scarring and inflammation.

Besides, alcohol could damage our intestine, letting the harmful toxic substances released by the bacteria inside the gut to get into the liver.

A research published in BMC Gastroenterology in 2024 reports that the levels of serum γ-glutamyl transferas were increased undoubtedly in people abusing alcohol, those often consume these drinks, and those drinking alcohol on a daily basis. This was confirmed through some tests for liver functions.

Learn More: 6 Tips On How To Treat Fatty Liver Naturally

7. Effects Of Alcohol Abuse – Cause Skin Issues

effects of alcohol abuse - cause skin issues

Overuse of alcohol has a direct impact on our overall skin health. As a small, lipid- and water-soluble molecule, alcohol could reach all tissues inside our body, including our skin.

It is dehydrating, which could deplete the moisture from both our skin and our body, making us look older than our real age automatically. It can also help a lot in widening the blood vessels that make our skin blotchy and red.

Excessive alcohol consumption can lead to a depletion of healthy nutrients inside the body, especially vitamin A and vitamin C, which are indispensable for skin health.

A research published in Acta Dermatovenerologica Croatica in 2004 reported that alcohol abuse is linked with several skin modifications, like porphyria cutanea tarda, urticarial reactions, flushing, cutaneous stigmata of rosacea, seborrheic dermatitis, psoriasis, cirrhosis, and pruritus.

Another research published in JAMA Dermatology in 2024 said that non-light beer consumption is linked with a higher risk of having psoriasis in females.

Other alcoholic drinks did not raise the risks of psoriasis in this research. Do not overlook this as it is one of the worst effects of alcohol abuse that everyone should watch out.

8. Hamper Sleep

effects of alcohol abuse - hamper sleep

Hampering sleep is also one of the effects of alcohol abuse mentioned in the entire article today and people should be careful with it.

Alcohol offers an adverse impact on sleep quality and can ultimately lead to sleepiness in daytime.

Being naturally sedative, alcoholic beverages could make you fall asleep at first, but might disrupt your sleep later in nighttime.

Alcohol abuse could interfere with rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which might make people more lethargic and tired the next morning.

A research published in Alcoholism: Experimental And Clinical Research in 2024 showed that while consuming a drink before going to bed might get you to doze off, but the overuse of alcohol might lead to more disrupted sleep in the 2nd half of the night. In addition, you might not even feel relax after sleeping.

Having 1 drink before going to bed could raise the slow-wave sleep while not influence deeper REM sleep, according to the Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism National Institute. The thing you should remember to do is to opt for moderate amount to drink.

Sleep is extremely important for our overall health because sleep disturbance could influence your heart health, memory, metabolism, energy, and performance, to name a few.

9. Weaken Immunity

effects of alcohol abuse - weaken immunity

Excess alcohol consumption could also cause increased risks of infectious conditions, due to immune system’s weakening.

High alcohol intake can lead to the comprehensive nutritional deficiency, depriving our body of valuable nutrients responsible for immune-boosting. It can even kill the antibody cells that are needed for fighting off viruses, germs, and every type of diseases.

Alcoholics are more vulnerable to suffer from urinary tract infections, septicemia, pulmonary tuberculosis, and pneumonia as compared to people who are not drinkers.

A research published in Alcoholism, Experimental And Clinical Research in 2024 reported that alcohol intake can lead to adaptive immune and altered inflammatory cell responses, which could make one more vulnerable to infectious issues. It also contains other organ-specific immune-mediated impacts.

Another 2024 research published in Alcohol – An International Biomedical Journal reported that even a single binge drinking’s episode can affect the immunity. The effect could last for days or several hours after the episode.

10. Weight Gain

effects of alcohol abuse - weight gain

This is the last but also very important one out on the list of the worst effects of alcohol abuse that we want to highlight in this article.

Alcohol is very rich in calories and could definitely cause unintentional weight gain. Actually, it has empty calories that would not give our body with any necessary nutrient.

When empty calories are mixed with proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, they could cause increased fats storage while hampering the fat-burning process.

In addition, alcohol tends to bring to people unhealthy cravings for foods that are bad for health as they are drinking. This is the reason why you would prefer to have salty and fatty food items while drinking alcohol.

A research published in Clinical Laboratory Sciences’ Critical Reviews in 2005 reported that moderate alcohol consumption is a trigger factor for good energy balance and thereby leading to unintentional weight gain.

The research also said that alcohol could release more calories when being combined with a high-fat diet and in obese and overweight drinkers.

Another 2024 research published in Current Obesity Reports suggested that alcohol might be a trigger for obesity in some cases, especially with the large quantities consumed.

Another thing that I would like to suggest my readers, just like you, to do right after reading the lists of negative effects of alcohol abuse is to spend time discovering another writing with the same topic – a gathering of facts related to alcohol – the Top 25 Interesting Facts About Alcohol article. This is actually a useful article that exposes a completed list of things people should know about alcohol and its effects on human health and life, so readers of VKool.com should not skip yet spend time reading it to get more information and knowledge of this popular drink and the problems it can bring about. The information you will get from the recommended article would not totally match with the content of the article today, so it would not be boring for you after all. Everything you need to do is just discovering both two articles and making use of the information they reveals.

This is the list of 10 worst negative effects of alcohol abuse that everyone who are facing the issue of alcohol abuse should read and watch out right from today. In fact, alcohol abuse has been proven to cause a lot of chronic and emergent issues to human health, both long- and short-term, and it is actually important and necessary for people to stop this “ugly routine” right away to live a healthier life. The information and advice provided by this article are proven good and right by doctors and experienced persons, so readers of Vkool.com should feel secure about it.

After reading this effects of alcohol abuse list, if you feel that it is actually important for you and everyone to stop this issue right away and what we reveal today is exactly things you want to learn, allow us to know by giving us your own comments and feedbacks. If you think that other people you know should also learn things from this article, feel free to share this list with them and encourage them to stop abusing alcohol right from today. Finally, as an author of Vkool, I really want to know how you think about the content of my article, so do not hesitate to show me your opinion, and if you have any question, leave them below and I will reply as soon as possible.

Related articles about sleep related issues and how to get better sleep quality at night:

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How To Give Up Alcohol With The Rahul Nag’s guide

Top 20 Ways To Stop Drinking Alcohol

List Of 13 Low Calorie Alcoholic Drinks For Women

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